SS21

After moving into our SOMA loft 12 years ago, we started to acquire a taste for stainless steel furniture and had purchased a couple of pieces from SS21. He has the most exquisite taste and extensive knowledge for vintage stainless steel furniture, and furniture in general.
The original crappy wooden cabinets that came with our place were falling apart and had to be replaced. Our kitchen is small so I didn’t expect it too cost too much, but got sticker shock when I went to Cabinets and Beyond for wooden cabinets that I didn’t even like. We just happened to be walking around, depressed, in the vicinity of SS21, and my wife suggested we check them out.
Cy, the owner, remembered us as customers from years ago and told us he had branched out a bit. My wife half-​jokimgly asked him if he had kitchen cabinets, and wouldn’t you know it, he had just acquired a bunch of vintage hospital cabinets that might fit. He showed us them, and photos of his mom’s kitchen which he had recently renovated himself. When he gave us a rough estimate for customizing and installing the steel cabinets, I was amazed at how much cheaper it was than what Cabinets and Beyond had quoted us. Cy is basically a one-​person operation, with a few hired helpers, so I knew I was taking a chance. But the cabinets were too beautiful to resist for what he was asking.
We had a few bumps along the way; dealing with my HOA’s rules and some scheduling glitches, but I knew I was going to have to be flexible with this project and go with the flow.
Ultimately, Cy and his team did a fantastic job of assembling, customizing, and installing the cabinets. It turned out to be a bit more complicated than expected, but Cy was totally dedicated. He’s an honorable person to do business with and takes great pride in his work. Underneath a gruff exterior is a heart of gold. Very opinionated, but very knowledgeable. Besides stainless steel, Cy finds other interesting pieces of vintage furniture that he renovates into amazing pieces of functional art. Stuff you can’t even imagine.
We ended up using regular contractors for the granite countertop and electrical work, but the stainless steel cabinets (and single steel sheet wall backdrop) were the man thing, and the end result was a beautiful, elegant, functional, rugged set of kitchen cabinets instead of junk. We are still blown away.
Here are some pictures that give a small taste of the finished product:
I highly recommend doing business with SS21!

Um, I just wanted some stainless steel furniture. And I get hit on by the owner as I am browsing. Nope! Sorry.

Got a few nice pieces from this place for my office and home.

Do not buy anything from them!
What they do is buying furniture mostly from Craigslist and sell them 3 – 500 mark up. Nothing wrong with buying cheap and selling at high price, but they are way extreme and making craislist commercial/​business community.

This place is really cool! I’ve lived in San Francisco for ages and never knew about it. I stumbled across it while walking on Eddy from the Powell Street BART station to Exit Theater.
What caught my eye initially were two huge light fixtures in one window. Many other finds and intriguing items (chairs, desks, cabinets, etc.) were inside, but I was in a rush to get to a play I was prepaid on, so I couldn’t dally.
If you’re looking for some attractive, and perhaps unusual, reconditioned vintage stainless steel, check this place out. I didn’t get a chance to scope out the prices, but given the location and appearance of the place, I’m guessing the prices would be lower there than at similar dealers located in posher sections of the city.
Photos here:

This place is a great find in the tendernob. I’m writing off of my newly acquired U.S. Military World War II polished aluminum campaign desk.
The desk itself is a work of art designed with function in mind, it folds up to travel size yet is a tank of a work table when open. The owner scavenged it, striped the original mint green paint, and polished the desk to a watery silver finish which adds another level of craftsmanship. It’s worth the pretty penny if you are interested in hard to find rare items. It fits nicely in my studio and is a pleasure to look at from every angle.
Sy, the owner is well informed, SF savvy, friendly and from what I can gather, has a huge passion for what he does. See for yourself:

once you get past the seedy peeps on eddy, you’ll be happy you ventured to find SS21. open on weekends and by appointment, this guy will impress you with his wide collection of slick stainless steel vintage furniture and treasures packed into this unique spot.
i have my eye on a vintage 40s stainless steel desk and chair. and about 15 other little gems scattered throughout.
the owner can answer any question and seems willing to give you a great price.
why go to design within reach when you can get the real deal from SS21?!
we all walked away with vintage shades for amazing prices, and wish lists of everything else we want from SS21.